Improvement in methods of handling coal



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. BASS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

' IMPROVEMENT IN METHODS OF HANDLING COAL.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 156,327, dated October '27, 1874; application filed July 20, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES H. BASS, of Brooklyn, New York, have invented a new and Improved Method of Handling, Weighing, and Delivering Coal and similar articles with dispatch, of which 'the following is a Vhad to the accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference thereon.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of Jthe chute in position as a pocket to receive the coal, at which time the Weight is noted by means of a platform-scale placed under it, or in any other suitable manner. Fig. 2 represents the chute in its natural position in which the coal is discharged.

The chute A is constructed of iron or other suitable material, and is Supported in its operations by the bearers b b, which are rmly secured to the bed-frame c, as shown at c c. The body of the chute A is connected With the bearers b bby a strong pivot on each side, a. The lock-frame d d forms part of a circle around the pivot a, and extends down to and is, together with the bearers b b, secured to the bed-frame c. The lever fis fixed firmly to the side of the ,chute A, as represented, and is for the purpose of raising it to its position as a pocket, as represented in Fig. l. This position of the chute is retained by the drop-catch h,that is hung on a pivot, as shown at i, and takese'ect by its hooked end in the notch m in the lock-frame d d. The letter u refers to the tripping-rod, which is connected with the drop-catch h, and operates through a projection on the side of the chute for the purpose of disengaging the drop-catch from the notch m in the lock-frame d d, so that, by pressing on the top of the trippingrod at n, the hooked point of the catch h is raised out of the notch m on the lock-frame d d, and the chute is let down from its position as a pocket, as represented in Fig. 1, to its position as shown in Fig. 2.

To use my invention for supplying Steamers or other water-craft, I place it at a proper elevation vover the string-piece of the dock, the coal being located sufficiently above it to run down freely, by which operation it becomes screened, suitable means being provided for that purpose, as it passes into the chute or pocket, and when the desired quantity is admitted the supply is cut off, the weight noted, the tripping-rod n pressed down,and the coal is immediately transferred to the vessel. By these means I screen, weigh, and deliver a ton of coal every minute.

To deliver coal to carts or other land-carriages the arrangement is precisely similar, except that the approach to the chute is made suitable for the purpose. The principle is the same, and the operation equally expeditious. The operator stands on the platform p and presses the tripping-rod n with his foot.

I claim as my invention- The pocket-chute A and its fixtures, constructed as described, for the purpose of weighing, measuring, and delivering coal in a rapid manner, substantially as described.

CHARLES H. BASS.

Witnesses:

H. THATEOED, J. M. MEscEUTT. 

